Stuart Anderson MP has launched a campaign to crack down on the sale of fake prescription medicines after meeting a resident whose family member died after taking illegally purchased drugs.
- Stuart Anderson MP has called for a crackdown on illegal prescription drugs being sold online.
- Millions of unlicensed drugs are seized each year, but Stuart says more must be done to stop them being sold online.
- Stuart is urging residents not to buy medicines over social media, messaging apps, or unknown websites.
- It follows meeting a resident who tragically lost a family member after buying fake medicines online.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
After recently meeting with a constituent whose family member died after purchasing counterfeit medication online, I brought this critical issue to the attention of Government Ministers, who assured me that millions of doses of these illegal substances are seized annually. Nevertheless, I remain concerned about the alarming ease with which prescription medications can be obtained illegally online and the insufficient action being taken. With their support, I am launching a campaign to raise awareness and push for more effective measures. I urge residents to only buy medicine from UK-registered pharmacies with the green cross logo - not social media, messaging apps, or unverified websites.”
Fake medicines are illegally produced products that may contain incorrect ingredients, no active ingredients, or harmful substances. This can lead to dangerous side effects, including heart problems, psychological effects, and dangerously low blood sugar levels. If a medicine is unauthorised, it will not have been assessed by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) for its safety, effectiveness, or the quality and hygiene of its manufacturing and distribution processes. This means that anyone buying such a product cannot be sure what it contains or whether it will harm them. Stuart has urged Ministers to tackle the availability of unregulated medicines online having met with residents at a local advice surgery.
“The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is working hard to protect the public, with their Criminal Enforcement Unit able to prevent, detect, and investigate illegal activity involving medicines and medical devices. Though I appreciate the MHRA successfully seizes millions of doses of illegally traded medicines each year, it is clear that more must be done.”
The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which is part of the Department for Health and Social Care, is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptable safe. Their Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) seized almost 20 million doses of unlicensed counterfeit medication in 2025, with a “street value” of £45 million. Last year’s seizes included almost ten million doses of sedatives and sleeping pills, over four million doses of powerful painkillers, and more than four million doses of erectile dysfunction treatments as well as more than 5,000 illegally traded weight loss medicines. The agency has also said that it has disrupted 1,500 websites and social media accounts illegally selling medical products to the public in 2025 and removed more than 1,200 social media posts.
The MHRA advises consumers to avoid buying medicines from social media, messaging apps, or unknown websites. Its FakeMeds website helps people to safely obtain medicine online. It outlines how products can be accessed from safe and legitimate sources. Residents are also urged to only use UK-registered pharmacies, including online pharmacies, that display the official green cross logo. It is possible to check whether an online pharmacy is registered via the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) website. The advice is to speak to a GP or pharmacist about safe and effective treatment options. Stuart has said that he is not convinced by the government’s response. Stuart has added that it fails to appreciate the gravity of the situation. Stuart is urging anyone who suspects they have received a counterfeit medicine should report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme through their website, Google Play, or Apple Store apps.
